How to stay, eat, shop, sightsee, and explore Palm Springs without renting a car.
Palm Springs is especially well suited to visitors who want to leave the driving behind. Palm Springs International Airport is close to downtown, and once you've checked into a centrally located hotel, restaurants, shops, museums, nightlife, and many of the city's best-known attractions are within walking distance.
For adventures beyond downtown, rideshare services, bicycles, guided tours and other transportation options can help you explore without getting behind the wheel.
Here's how to plan a car-free Palm Springs getaway.
From the Airport to Palm Springs in Minutes
One of the biggest advantages of visiting Palm Springs without a car is how close the airport is to the heart of the city.
After arriving at Palm Springs International Airport, take a taxi or rideshare to your hotel. Downtown Palm Springs is just a short ride away, allowing you to skip the rental car counter and start your vacation sooner.
Once you're settled in, you may find that you don't need a vehicle nearly as often as you expected.
Choose a Walkable Home Base
If you're planning to spend most of your time on foot, where you stay matters.
Downtown Palm Springs and the surrounding neighborhoods offer some of the easiest access to restaurants, shopping, museums, and nightlife. The Historic Tennis Club neighborhood is also a great choice, with several boutique hotels within walking distance of downtown.
A few options to consider include:
- La Serena Villas – A chic adults-only hideaway with a rooftop bar, spa, and luxe bungalows.
- Korakia Pensione – Mediterranean meets Moroccan with serene courtyards.
- Casa Cody – Palm Springs' oldest operating Inn with historic charm, reimagined with Spanish-style casitas, a citrus grove, and mountain views.
Midcentury Modern Gems
- Holiday House – Playful mid-century style with vibrant art and poolside service.
- The Three Fifty Hotel – Small and sleek, just steps from restaurants and shops.
- Del Marcos Hotel – A true mid-century gem, adults-only and pet-friendly.
Full-Service Favorites
- Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs – A rooftop pool, on-site dining, and mountain views right on the main strip.
- Hyatt Palm Springs has spacious suites, a walkable location, and is great for families or groups.
- Palm Mountain Resort & Spa – A resort feel with easy access to downtown and affordable rates.
- Hotel Zoso – Hip, modern, and just a block off Palm Canyon Drive, with a lively pool scene and walkable nightlife access.
What You Can Easily Explore on Foot
Palm Springs is not a city where every attraction is within walking distance. But downtown offers a concentrated collection of things to do that can easily fill a day—or several.
Museums, Culture & Palm Springs Icons
Start with the Palm Springs Art Museum, where world-class contemporary works are tucked inside cool concrete walls and sculpture gardens bloom under the desert sun. Just around the corner, the Architecture and Design Center dives into the city's iconic design story.
The Agua Caliente Cultural Museum is another essential stop. Through exhibits, artifacts, and storytelling, the museum shares the history and culture of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and offers visitors a deeper understanding of the land and the people who have called it home for generations.
As you walk downtown, look for the stars embedded in the sidewalks along the Palm Springs Walk of Stars, honoring entertainers, civic leaders and other notable figures connected to the city.
You'll also find Forever Marilyn nearby in Downtown Park.
Come Thursday night, VillageFest transforms the street into a lively open-air market filled with local artists, food vendors, live music, and the occasional friendly pup in sunglasses.
Shop Your Way Through Downtown
Downtown Palm Springs is made for strolling.
Palm Canyon Drive is lined with boutiques, galleries, gift shops, and restaurants, making it easy to combine shopping with sightseeing and a leisurely lunch.
Browse Palm Springs-inspired gifts and home décor, discover vintage fashion, pick up books and art, or explore a collection of independent makers and regional brands. The fun is in wandering and seeing what catches your eye.
For a deeper look at where to shop—including Uptown, vintage districts and other shopping destinations—explore the Palm Springs Shopping Guide.
- Destination PSP – Palm Springs-themed everything: graphic tees, retro home décor, glassware, and gifts you actually want to give.
- Mitchells Palm Springs – Vintage fashion with flair, from colorful resort wear to sharp casual pieces.
- Just Fabulous – Books, art prints, and quirky gifts with a Palm Springs twist. The name says it all.
- Thick As Thieves – Artisan-crafted jewelry, candles, and desert-inspired home accents.
- Mojave Flea Trading Post is a beautifully curated marketplace featuring over 70 makers and indie brands across California and the Southwest. Expect everything from handmade leather goods and ceramics to desert-inspired skincare and art. It's part boutique, part gallery, and 100% worth the visit.
- H&M Palm Springs for fashion-forward clothing and accessories for the whole family.
Eat, Drink & Enjoy the Night Without Driving
One of the best things about staying downtown is being able to walk from breakfast to shopping, from lunch to the pool, and from dinner to cocktails without worrying about parking.
Waking up in Palm Springs means one thing: brunch. Here's where to start your day—and where to keep the culinary adventure going.
Breakfast & Brunch
- Cheeky's – Famous for its inventive brunch menu, including the beloved bacon flight and seasonal dishes. Perfect for a casual but flavorful breakfast or brunch.
- Wilma & Frieda's – Comfort food with a twist, featuring dishes like crab benedict, French toast, and Southern-style breakfast classics.
- Broken Yolk Café – A beloved local breakfast spot offering a wide variety of classic breakfast items, from omelets and pancakes to healthy bowls and smoothies. A great go-to for a traditional, hearty breakfast.
Lunch
- Lulu California Bistro – A lively bistro with a broad brunch menu, offering everything from fresh salads to hearty egg dishes and waffles.
- Chicken Ranch – A relaxed spot known for its rotisserie chicken, southern sides, and easy-going vibe. Great for a laid-back lunch.
- Farm – A cozy, European-inspired spot serving fresh, farm-to-table brunch options that highlight local ingredients in a rustic setting.
Dinner
- Kaiser Grille – A long-time downtown favorite with a diverse menu featuring steaks, seafood, and pasta, plus a large outdoor patio.
- Il Corso – Elegant Italian dining with handmade pastas, classic entrées, and an intimate, romantic vibe.
- Las Casuelas Terraza – A festive downtown staple serving traditional Mexican dishes, margaritas, and nightly live music on a beautiful open-air patio.
- Melvyn's at the Ingleside Estate – This upscale classic Palm Springs institution has old-school charm, live piano music, and timeless cocktails like martinis and Manhattans.
Cocktails
- High Bar – Located atop the Kimpton Rowan, this rooftop bar offers stunning mountain views and a selection of craft cocktails, perfect for sunset sips.
- Bootlegger Tiki – A cozy tiki bar located in the former Don the Beachcomber space, offering expertly crafted tropical cocktails in a vintage Polynesian setting.
- Tonga Hut – The sister bar to North Hollywood's original, this kitschy tiki lounge serves up potent classics like the Zombie and features a hidden room behind a phone booth.
Pro tip: Many downtown restaurants offer happy hour menus—perfect for early birds wandering in on foot.
🏳️🌈 Nights Out in the Arenas District
As the sun dips behind the San Jacinto Mountains, the Arenas District comes alive. It's the LGBTQ+ heart of Palm Springs, and the energy is infectious.
Grab a drink and people-watch at Chill Bar, catch a themed dance night at Hunters, or relax into the classic vibe of Streetbar. Want something stylish with strong cocktails and a cool crowd? Blackbook has you covered.
Every spot is walkable. Every crowd is welcoming.
Walk When You Can. Ride When You Want to Go Farther.
A car-free Palm Springs vacation doesn't mean you have to stay downtown for your entire trip.
Walking works beautifully for the downtown core, but Palm Springs has plenty to explore beyond it. That's where bicycles, rideshares, and guided tours come in.
🚲 Explore Palm Springs by Bike
Palm Springs' sunny weather and generally flat streets make biking a fun way to cover more ground.
Rent a bike and explore residential neighborhoods, midcentury architecture, and areas beyond downtown at your own pace.
You can also follow one of these self-guided routes:
- Palm Springs Big City Loop Bike Tour
- Explore Historic Deepwell Ranch Neighborhood: Self-Guided Bike Tour
- Pedal Through Palm Springs: A Self-Guided Tour of Midcentury Charm
Bike rentals are available at many hotels or through local shops like Bike Palm Springs.
When a Rideshare Makes Sense
For destinations outside the downtown core, a rideshare can be easier—and sometimes more relaxing—than renting a car for your entire stay.
Consider taking a rideshare to destinations such as:
- The Uptown Design District for architecture, design, and shopping
- The Sunny Dunes and Industrial Place areas for vintage and antique shopping
- Residential neighborhoods known for midcentury modern architecture
- Restaurants and attractions farther from your hotel
This approach gives you the freedom to walk when destinations are close and take a quick ride when they're not.
What Can You Do Without a Car?
Here's a simple way to think about getting around Palm Springs.
Easy on Foot
- Palm Canyon Drive
- Downtown restaurants and shopping
- Palm Springs Art Museum
- Architecture and Design Center
- Agua Caliente Cultural Museum
- Palm Springs Walk of the Stars
- Forever Marilyn
- VillageFest
- Arenas District
- Downtown Park
Great by Bike or a Short Rideshare
- Uptown Design District
- Movie Colony neighborhood
- Deepwell Estates
- Sunny Dunes vintage shopping area
- Other Palm Springs neighborhoods known for architecture and design
Plan Transportation in Advance
Some of Palm Springs' major attractions are farther from downtown and are not practical walking destinations. For these experiences, plan on a rideshare, tour or other transportation.
That includes destinations such as the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, Palm Springs Air Museum, Indian Canyons and other attractions outside the downtown area.
A Sample Car-Free Day in Palm Springs
Need a little inspiration? Here's what one easy day could look like.
Morning: Start with breakfast or brunch downtown, then walk to the Palm Springs Art Museum and Architecture and Design Center.
Afternoon: Browse the shops along Palm Canyon Drive, stop for lunch, and visit the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum.
Late Afternoon: Head back to your hotel for some pool time or a little relaxation.
Evening: Walk to dinner downtown, then enjoy rooftop cocktails or explore the Arenas District.
If you're visiting on Thursday, make VillageFest part of your evening plans.
The next day, rent a bike, take a rideshare to another neighborhood, or join a guided tour to see more of the city.
FAQs
Can you visit Palm Springs without renting a car?
Yes. Visitors can enjoy much of Palm Springs without renting a car, particularly when staying downtown or in a nearby neighborhood. Palm Springs International Airport is close to downtown, and many hotels, restaurants, shops, museums and nightlife destinations are within walking distance. Rideshares, bicycles and guided tours make it possible to explore farther afield.
Is downtown Palm Springs walkable?
Yes. Downtown Palm Springs is one of the most walkable areas of the city. Visitors can easily reach restaurants, shops, museums, public art, nightlife and attractions such as the Palm Springs Walk of the Stars and VillageFest.
How do you get from Palm Springs International Airport to downtown without a car?
Visitors can use rideshare services or taxis to travel from Palm Springs International Airport to downtown hotels. The airport is only a short ride from the downtown area.
What is the best area to stay in Palm Springs without a car?
Downtown Palm Springs is the most convenient area for visitors planning to walk to restaurants, shopping, museums and nightlife. The Historic Tennis Club neighborhood and hotels near the downtown core are also good choices.
Can you get around Palm Springs by bike?
Yes. Biking is a great option for exploring beyond the downtown core. Palm Springs has relatively flat areas and scenic residential neighborhoods that are popular for cycling. Visitors can rent bikes or follow self-guided bike routes.
Do you need a car to visit the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway or Indian Canyons?
These attractions are not convenient walking destinations from downtown. Visitors without a rental car should plan transportation in advance, such as a rideshare, guided tour, or another transportation option.
Ready to plan your car-free escape? Start with places to stay downtown.
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